Sizing Up Apple Arcade, the Newest Contender in the Game Subscription Category

Amid the rise of music, movie, and television subscriptions, video games were one of the last holdouts bound to the traditional buying model. Until now.

Tuesday, Apple unveiled new details on its game service Apple Arcade. But as subscriptions become more commonplace in the gaming industry, some might wonder how Apple’s service compares. Will the affordable price and unique original content help make it a hit?

How much will it cost?

The mobile-focused Apple Arcade, available on Sept. 19, will work across iPhones, iPads, and Macs, and will cost $4.99 for a family subscription. The price is a fraction of what other companies charge for their game subscription services: PlayStation’s PS Now costs $19.99 a month; and Microsoft’s Game Pass runs $9.99 for PC or Xbox, or $14.99 for both.

Piers Harding-Rolls, an analyst with IHS Markit, emphasized that Apple Arcade’s $4.99 price also allows up to six family members to use the service, making it very consumer friendly. However, its mobile-first focus makes it slightly more akin to Android’s Play Pass, which is also expected to cost $5 when it’s released.